Vietvn: I LIVEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! Omg, seriously, it's been how long since I last updated this story. SCHOOL'S DONE! Which means I can finally actually work on this story now! I'M SORRY TO ALL THE READERS WHO ARE KEEPING TRACK OF THIS STORY FOR HOW LONGG??? T^T I love you all for that!! Kay, just start off with my first update since....again how long, I've made TWO chapters :D with this twist of event that I just so happen to add in because I can't think of anything else to extend the story So I promise (or hope) that the turn of this story won't be something disappointing.... But for just this chapter only, bear with me D:

Chapter Five: I Realize; I Still Love Him

Reimei's POV

I felt my eyes open slowly. I thought I had awakened from being knocked out but that thought soon demolished as I glanced around at where I was. The familiar arctic plains; barren of any other living organisms or physical features was where I stood. The winds whipped at the snow harshly, pulling up particles of powder snow from the ground. They swirled like dust before being carried off into the distance. Despite the harsh climate and slightly darkened skies, the cold feeling was not present. The effects of the cold winds that usually gave me chills did nothing to me.

Breaking from my reverie, a spark of reiatsu drew me towards the left. Not too far was a single lone mountain covered with snow. I headed towards it, knowing too well what I might encounter there. As I reached the mountain's base, I began to climb the chiseled stone steps until I reached the very top. Resting in the middle of the concave opening of the mountain was a frozen lake, complete with a crystallized waterfall off to the side. No snow or whipping winds reached into the area as they were blocked by the high rocks of the mountain's side.

The ice glistened and gleamed brightly despite the little sun offered in the place. I descended towards the lake and gingerly stepped onto the lake. As I reached the middle, I sat down and laid flat on my back, letting the slightly cooled surface relax me. I shut my eyes, taking in the serene feel of the place that I hardly visited. It's as if whatever is going on outside of this world didn't matter anymore.

A ruffle of feathers resounded around the walls of the mountains. I didn't need to open my eyes to see what it was.

"You should've been more careful..."

"I know...but you have to wonder how on earth he managed to freeze me into a block of ice when I could've easily broken it with yours."

"I have a suspicion that it must have something to do with that Hyorinmaru zanpakuto he had. And the King's Seal...But lucky you, I managed to keep you alive."

I half nodded; I felt her presence just before I was frozen and the King's Seal. Kusaka was indeed the one who stole it. I finally let my eyes drift open. Glancing to the side, I saw Tsumetai Kaze perched close to me; her wings neatly tucked at her side and she was only about the size of a peacock. She eyed me with her crystal like eyes as she talked through my mind.

"You should get back out there, who knows what might be going on as we speak..."

I sighed, wanting to enjoy this peace a little longer but I knew she was right. There was still unfinished business to attend to; and there was a certain someone I needed to talk to.

"What a fool he is..." I found myself muttering. Beside me Tsumetai Kaze ruffled her feathers, puffing them out a bit.

"He was only trying to protect you from something that didn't involve you..."

"But that's what got him into this mess in the first place. Doesn't he realize that there are people around him that want to help him carry a bit of that burden?"

"What of yourself when you 'betrayed' Seireitei to spy on Aizen?"

I rolled to my side, facing away from the phoenix and rested my head on my elbow. "That was different, no one trusted me or has known me enough for me to consult to them...Plus," I drew invisible designs on the ice with the tip of my finger, losing myself in thought. "Back then, my thoughts were not straightened."

I heard her chirp beside me and poked me with her beak. "Even if you weren't in love with him, you could've tipped him on your plans instead of having him worry sick over you..."

"He already suspected anyways so it doesn't really matter...."

There was another sound of ruffling feathers. "You and your pride...You two are scarily alike it's no wonder you fancy him..."

I chuckled a bit; maybe that's why I still love him deep down. I could never hate Toushiro but maybe be a little upset that he tried to take matters in his own hands. Even if he didn't turn to me for help, he could've at least relied on the friends he had. He should know that they're always backing him up. I paused in my thoughts; I shouldn't be confused about this whole thing. My feelings for Toushiro won't change because of this; it shouldn't. I shouldn't let the feeling of being betrayed get the best of me, Toushiro sure didn't when I left Seireitei for Hueco Mundo. He still welcomed me with open arms when they found me, knocked out and beaten up. Not a shred of anger, just relief that I was safe.

Feeling refreshed, I stood up and straightened my outfit. "Better get going, I feel that something's up." Tsumetai Kaze gave a chirp of approval. Crouching low, I sprung upwards towards the skies of the realm. I felt a tickle of feathers brush against my fingertips before turning into a grip of a katana. I felt myself being drawn up faster into the skies and felt myself regain consciousness in reality. A flash of bright light engulfed me and before I even realized it, the world had burst into my vision. It happened so suddenly that it felt like the winds was knocked out of me, my strength evaporating quickly into thin air.

Shimmers of broken ice caught my slightly blurred vision and felt as if my body was made of lead. I felt myself fall back and the howls of the wind rushing pass me rushed into my ear. I continued falling as if it was an endless journey to the ground. It seems that I didn't grasp reality just yet. A part of my mind seemed to still be lingering in dreamland while the other part was trying to grasp what was going on.

Something gripped around my wrist, suddenly alerting me. A warm body collided with mine and what felt like arms snaked around me, holding me close. It was welcoming and familiar at the same time. I forced my half closed eyes open to catch a glimpse at what it could be. My dark amethyst eyes clashed with vibrant turquoise green.

"Toushiro...?" I wondered aloud, having only one name pop into my mind when it came to those brilliant eyes.

"It's okay...." A deep voice gently whispered. Like a lullaby, it soothed me and soon I found my eyes shut and darkness overtook me.

When I woke up, I was still pressed against someone's chest, being held closely in an embrace. My senses started to work again and slowly I regained conscious. As I did, voices slowly became comprehendible to my ears.

"Taicho, you shouldn't have jumped off the cliff like that. You could've both seriously been hurt."

"I know...."

A sigh, "...But that's what a lieutenant's for. They watch their captain's back..."

Silence came afterwards as if the person was in deep thought. I forced my eyes open a bit and looking up, I found myself nuzzled close to Toushiro who still held me bridal style.

"She's awake!" came a voice beside me. I soon recognized it as Matsumoto's.

Glancing up I saw pools of turquoise green stare down at me, relief washing through them like a tide. I blinked a couple of times, making sure I was actually awake instead of dreaming.

"Toushiro...?" I asked again.

"Are you okay?" He asked in a hush tone. I gave him a nod and he slowly let me down.

"Reimei-chan! I'm glad you're alright, taicho was worried sick!" exclaimed Matsumoto.

"What happened?" I asked once I steadied myself on my feet. I turned to Matsumoto with my full attention, wanting to know what happened ever since I got frozen in a block of ice.

"I guess after Kusaka kidnapped you, he brought taicho back to Soul Society at the top of Souyoku Hill with the King's Seal. It turns out he needed someone who mastered bankai to cut it so that he could get the power inside."

"Wait, was he using me as bait?" I interrupted, catching on. The only way to make Toushiro agree to that was use something against him; and that something was me. That bastard. Matsumoto confirmed my suspicion by nodding her head. I started to worry; did Toushiro do what he was asked to in order to keep me safe?

"Toushiro you didn't-..." I turned to him, ready to lecture him if he did but before I could finish my sentence he shook his head. I sighed in relief but then my mind drew back to the situation.

"So what happened then?"

"Kusaka cut it himself since Toushiro hesitated then doubted him. Now we're in this mess." I turned my gaze slightly and caught a glance at orange hair. No doubt it was Ichigo that piped in, coming up behind us with Rukia. He pointed to the sky and my gaze wandered up. I was greeted by a dark, purple sky that had smokes of black through it. What appear to be massive ice branches broke through the walls of Seireitei in different places. I followed one back to the source and it lead me to a massive castle looking thing towering above Seireitei. I was to say, speechless.

"Oh yeah, and one more thing. When Kusaka transformed into this ice dragon, the impact made the edge of the cliff shatter and you were about to fall along with the debris but somehow you managed to break it from the inside at that moment. Toushiro over here jumped off the cliff as you were falling to save you." Ichigo added, gesturing to Toushiro who was off to the side, keeping his gaze in a downcast. So he actually did save me. I smiled lightly; that idiot, risking his life to save mine.

"Oi! You guys alright?" In a flash, Renji appeared, his zanpakuto in shikai form resting against his shoulders.

"Renji! What's happening now?!"

"It looks like we're trapped in the spirit walls of Kusaka's castle."

"Then what should we do?!" asked Ichigo.

"Like I would know...."

A massive swirl of white ribbon appeared and soon Yoruichi along with Soi Fon emerged from within.

"Senpai!" I said, surprised to see her here so suddenly. We rushed over to the two and started to discuss on how to deal with the situation. According to Soi Fon, the Sou-taicho and three other captains were preventing the barriar from spreading any farther. He had also ordered that while he was doing so that we were to kill Kusaka to stop it.

"So do we have to climb the castle walls to get to him then?" I asked, staring back at the massive structure. At the very top, I could make out ice and a large torso of an ice dragon whom I had a feeling was Kusaka. I clenched my fist; I was gonna have to pay him back for freezing me in a block of ice and trying to use me as bait.

"Ah. When we reach there, we'll have to break down the centre tower." Yoruichi replied. She gazed at all of us, "Let's do it now, while he can't move."

"Alright!"

"Hold on a sec!" exclaimed yet another new comer. We all turned and saw Ikakku along with Yumichika. "I want in on this action!"

So naturally, the two joined in just in time as a rumble resounded through the air. From the core of the centre tower at the bottom, a horde of hollows emerged from the bright light. As Ichigo began to take a stance to fight them, Yoruichi interrupted him by assuring that she and Soi Fon would deal with them.

"You all need to get to the centre tower, there's no time to lose!" Before Ichigo could protest, the dark skinned woman and the second division taicho took off towards the horde, activating shunko as they ran.

"Ichigo, we need to get moving. They'll be fine." I said, watching the two take out a dozen hollows at once.

"Alright."

"Taicho..." Matsumoto called, catching the attention of Toushiro. We all turned and at once I recognized the haori in the lieutenant's hands and smiled softly. I glanced back at Toushiro and noticed his unsure look. He must still be thinking that he didn't deserve it after what he's done. His turquoise eyes traveled from the haori to everyone present at the moment. I glanced briefly and noticed everyone giving encouraging looks towards him. Those made me smile more. When I glanced back to Toushiro, our eyes locked once again. Toushiro's eyes softened a bit, guilt immediately rushing through but I only smiled encouragingly at him and gave him a small nod.

Within a blink of an eye, Toushiro had confidently replaced the brown cloak with the captain haori that was rightfully his.

It was then that I knew; he was back.

Wahhh, Reimei still loves Toushiro even if he made an idiot move to handle things on himself X) Okay! Move on to the next chapter now! Don't forget to R&R!!